Reading Rangers Britanny Marquart

Friday

Jan 10, 2014 at 9:18 AMJan 10, 2014 at 9:18 AM

Senior and team captain Britanny Marquart is averaging 11 points and 4 assists per game for a Reading Ranger team that is off to a 6-2 start. Marquart's team won the Pat Paterson Holiday Classic over break, and she was named tournament MVP. As a junior, Marquart helped lead the Rangers to their first district title in 13 years. As a senior, she thinks the Lady Rangers can outdo that milestone season.Hillsdale Daily News: How long have you played on the varsity team at Reading?Marquart: I've spent three seasons on varsity. I started as a sophomore at shooting guard.HDN: How has the program developed over the last three seasons?Marquart: It's really improved. As a sophomore, we weren't that great. Last year we picked it up, and we won districts. Reading had not won districts in 13 years until last year.HDN: Are there new expectations now that you have district title?Marquart: I think we are a capable of getting back to districts and more winning a lot more games, if we continue to talk and our defense is good.HDN: What improvements need to be made?Marquart: We are going to have to boost our defense. There seem to be post players in the league who are capable of scoring. Communication is a big key for us. We need to improve on that. As long as we continue to play defense and keep up our shot selection, I think we will be good.HDN: What upcoming games will offer tough competition?Marquart: We play Springport tonight, and that should be a tough game. Homer, Concord, and Springport are all tough games.HDN: Of those three, who will pose the biggest challenge?Marquart: Concord. They have height. They have really good post players. They are an all around good team. We have gotten better from last year. If we work hard, we can win that game. We haven't beaten Concord in the three years I have been on varsity. They are a good team.HDN: How hard is it to win a Big Eight title?Marquart: Ours is one of the most difficult conferences around.HDN: Do you think such a long winter break will mean a sloppy return to the court?Marquart: It's been alright. We have had practices in between. We might in the first couple quarters. I think we will be able to fix that really quick.HDN: You were named tournament MVP at the Pat Paterson Holiday Classic. How did that feel?Marquart: I honestly wasn't expecting it. I was kind of shocked. I was really happy to get it, especially being my senior year.HDN: Is basketball your favorite sport?Marquart: I think I am tied at basketball and softball.HDN: Do you have post graduation plans?Marquart: I want to go into mechanical engineering. I want to focus on that more than anything. If I go to a smaller school where it is education over sports, I might play basketball. I might change my mind haven't really decided on that.HDN: What schools are you considering?Marquart: Baker, Trine, or Western.HDN: Who else has stepped up for the Rangers in the early goings?Marquart: Tayler Coe is doing a really good job, driving and shooting threes. Jenny Davis drives really hard, and she is always in there for rebounds and putting them back up strong.HDN: As a team captain, how has it been bringing along so many underclassmen?Marquart: Last year was a big growing year. The sophomores that came up picked it up fast. This year is more of putting a polish on those skills.